Drink driving facts at a glance

What is the drink driving limit?

In the UK you are not legally allowed to drive if:

1. you have a breath alcohol level over 35 micro-grammes per 100ml of breath
2. or a blood alcohol level above 80 milli-grammes per 100ml of blood.

Drink drive limits differ throughout the Europe and the world so it is important to know the limit in any country that you plan to drive in.

What is the measure for a unit of alcohol?

If measured by volume then a single unit of alcohol is 10ml / 1cl of pure alcohol. When measured by weight it is 8g of pure alcohol. Strengths vary but generally this is considered to be the equivalent of:

• half a pint of 3% - 4%  strength beer / lager or cider
• an English pub measure (25ml) of 40% spirits
• a 50ml measure of 20% liqueur such as port, Baileys or sherry
  

It is important to not calculate your legal alcohol level in relation to other people. Each person's tolerance to alcohol depends on a range of factors including:

• weight
• gender
• age
• metabolism
• current stress levels
• whether they have eaten recently
• amount of alcohol

So the only safe option is not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive, and never offer an alcoholic drink to someone else who is intending to drive.